as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Newcomers Jason Pinnock and Richie Grant served as the first-string safeties.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025
All five first-string Pacers (Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner) complement one another.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 2025
After one year as a reserve, he was elevated to Vince Lombardi's first-string defense the following season.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
The rest of the first-string offensive line included Julian Armella at right guard, Sam Yoon at center and Courtland Ford at left tackle.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
The Packers did not play their first-string offense.
—Nick Kosmider, The Athletic, 18 Aug. 2024
As first-string quarterback Claire Heisinger watched on crutches from the sideline, Addison Kloch, who is an elite golfer, filled in admirably for the Chargers.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
But that year does look a little anomalous on his career ledger, with more of an 80-point baseline (which, of course, is still excellent).—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
-
With continued success from not only Tucker, but the entire Cubs lineup as a whole, Chicago has an excellent chance of making a deep postseason run toward the World Series.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The 6-foot-5, 221-pounder not only comes with ideal size and above-average athleticism but also terrific arm talent.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
His terrific performance was a similar problem for the Pacers.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Hunter Brown struck out a career-high 12 batters across seven stellar innings before Cam Smith collected the first walk-off hit of his major-league career.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
He's managed to rise above and carve out a stellar NCAA run for himself, but now Sanders is set to play at the highest level of the game.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Uptempo with a bit of a ’90s country flair, the song is a superb, full-throttle musical vehicle for Housman’s confident, charismatic voice.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
23 June 2025
-
Moore, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft out of Tennessee, hit his first big-league home run, a game-tying solo shot to center field in the seventh inning, and preserved that tie with a superb diving catch of Yainer Diaz’s 109-mph line drive with two runners on to end the top of the eighth.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
That could mean even greater affordability for smaller businesses adopting AI for their businesses.—
Bernice Ooi,
CNBC,
26 June 2025
-
That was the name of one of my great friends growing up in Brooklyn.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Steve was a wonderful antidote to Miranda, and Joy is a wonderful antidote in a very different way.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
20 June 2025
-
It is filled with many wonderful surprises discoverable to the 200,000-plus visitors who come during the busiest time (November to July) and escapade around its hilly terrain in the signature island vehicle, the mini Moke.—
Melinda Sheckells,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The prime contractor for the B-2 is Northrop Grumman.—
Ellen Uchimiya,
CBS News,
19 June 2025
-
Westbrook tore his meniscus and 2013’s prime title chance unofficially ended.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
From its unique patterns, eye-catching color combinations and lovely add-ons (mirror work, beads and tassles), the textile enthusiast felt a strong connection to the craft of ralli.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
Along with his lovely wife Joyce, Mr. Smith continued to be very active back in his home parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora, even serving as interim principal of its school in 2003-2004.—
Tom Strong,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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